Frequent, unpredictable demonstrations occur across the country. Some have turned violent, resulting in injuries and several fatalities. Demonstrators have also attacked vehicles when drivers attempted to pass through or around the protests. Criminals take advantage of the resulting traffic congestion to rob/extort money from drivers and pedestrians.

Demonstrations: Protests around scheduled elections, utility problems, and labor disputes are common, causing disruptions to traffic and commerce. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid areas of demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings.

Motorists have occasionally encountered improvised checkpoint barricades manned by uniformed military or police personnel who demand money and search through personal belongings, confiscating items of value. See Victims of Crime section to report incidents.

Do not accept unsolicited offers of assistance at the airport or hotels as these individuals may be seeking opportunities to rob visitors of their bags, purses, or wallets. You should arrange to be met at the airport by hotel personnel or business contacts.

Keep car doors locked at all times to prevent carjacking and vehicle intrusion. Only roll car windows down enough to communicate when necessary. Soldiers staffing checkpoints at night and police at intersections during the day will often solicit bribes. Display requested documents, but do not surrender them, as officials may take them if bribes are not paid. You may wish to keep a laminated copy of your documents with you that can be shown in place of your actual passports or identification cards.

Scams: Commercial scams are on the rise and can create legal difficulties for U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens have reported being detained by local authorities based on complaints by local business partners and/or as an attempt to extract additional payment. Scams can also target private business personnel and non-governmental organization employees, often with offers to sell diamonds or gold. In general, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The funds cannot be recovered.

Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Guinea are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. It is common for criminal cases to take months, if not years, to reach a verdict.

U.S. citizens have been arrested for assault after fighting with police officers who stopped them for questioning. If you are stopped by the police, follow their instructions and request that the U.S. Embassy be notified immediately.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Customs: Guinean customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning the temporary import or export of items such as firearms, antiquities, medications, business equipment, and ivory. You should contact the Embassy of Guinea in Washington, DC for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Currency: The local currency is the Guinean franc (GNF). Travelers may not depart Guinea carrying more than 100,000 GNF (currently about $11.00 USD) or more than $5,000 USD. Guinea has a cash economy. ATMs are available, and traveler’s checks are accepted only at some banks and hotels. Credit cards are accepted at some larger hotels and larger supermarkets in Conakry, but should be used only at reputable hotels, stores, and banks. Cash advances on Visa credit cards are available at various branches of BICIGUI, a local bank. Inter-bank fund transfers are possible at BICIGUI branches but can be difficult and expensive. Money transfers from the United States have worked successfully in the past. Western Union has several offices in Conakry, and MoneyGram also has an office in downtown Conakry.

Photography: Visitors should restrict photography to private gatherings and should obtain explicit permission from the Guinean government before photographing military and transportation facilities, government buildings, or public works. Photographing without permission in any public area may result in arrest or a dangerous confrontation with people who find being photographed offensive.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance. While in Guinea, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. Guinea does not have legislation that mandates access to transportation, communication, and public buildings for persons with disabilities, and few such accomodations exist.

Women Travelers: Rape, spousal rape, and domestic violence are all crimes in Guinea punishable with fines or imprisonment. However, these crimes are common and underreported. Indictments are rare and police are unlikely to intervene.

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is illegal. However, abundant evidence exists that FGM/C is still being practiced despite the ban.

Medical facilities are poorly equipped and extremely limited, both in the capital city and throughout Guinea. Medicines are in short supply and of questionable quality, with counterfeiting of medication a serious issue. Sterility of equipment should not be assumed and treatment is frequently unreliable. Some private medical facilities provide a better range of treatment options than public facilities, but are still well below western standards. Ambulance and emergency rescue services are extremely limited in Conakry and practically non-existent in the rest of the country. Trauma care is extremely limited. Food and water safety concerns are among the most common causes of illnesses in the country. Sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, are common.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas.

Border Crossings: Most border crossings are controlled jointly by Guinean armed forces, gendarmes, police, and immigration officials, but are lightly patrolled. Complete paperwork and visas are required to cross land borders.

Road Conditions and Safety:Guinea’s road network, which is only partially paved, is underdeveloped and unsafe. Roads and vehicles are poorly maintained, road signs are insufficient, and roads and vehicles are frequently unlit. Livestock and pedestrians create constant road hazards. These conditions worsen after dark. During the rainy season, generally from May to October, flash floods can make some roads temporarily impassable. The police and the military often set up roadblocks, making travel within and between cities difficult from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Drivers and passengers of vehicles involved in accidents resulting in injury or death have experienced extra-judicial actions (i.e., mob attacks), official consequences such as fines and incarceration, and/or confrontations with the victim’s family.

Avoid traveling after dark outside of populated areas due to the risk of roadside crime, roadblocks, and road hazards. Roadside assistance is not available in Guinea.

Public Transportation:Guinea has no reliable, safe public transportation. Taxis, including small cars and larger vans, are poorly maintained and overcrowded. Taxis frequently stop and start without regard to other vehicles, drive down the wrong side of the road, and weave in and out of lanes. Motorcycles overwhelm the roads and are dangerous to riders and other vehicles and pedestrians. Hired vehicles and drivers are available from agencies at major hotels in Conakry.

Aviation Safety Oversight:As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Guinea, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Guinea’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Conakry

The U.S. Embassy is located in Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle near Bambeto Circle at the following address:American Embassy ConakryP.O. Box 603Transversale No. 2Centre Administratif de KolomaCommune de Ratoma Conakry, Republic of Guinea

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